The Boston Public Library has been working for years to close that gap, not only by providing access to high speed internet, but with free help with homework.

“We have computers, and we have printers as well so a lot of the kids need to print something out for homework. Or upload something or check a class website and they are able to do that on our library computers totally free,” says Rachel Keeler, the children’s librarian at the library.

Desktop computers at the Boston Public Library. (WBZ-TV)

Keeler says “the computers are a really important part of what the kids need to get their homework completed.”

A number of organizations also working to give people internet access at home.

The FCC Lifeline Program provides a $9 discount for eligible low-income subscribers to broadband internet.

Verizon and Comcast are two of the companies that take part in the Boston area.

Comcast also provides a service called “Internet Essentials” which provides broadband internet with in-home WiFi for roughly $10 a month. It also offers discount laptop and desktop computers to those who qualify.

PCs for People aims to bridge the digital divide as well. By refurbishing computers from corporations they are able to either give computers away to eligible families, or provide them at an affordable cost.

PCs for People also provides high speed internet service for as low as $10 a month, with pre-paid plans.

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/09/08/internet-access-broadband-homework-gap-back-to-school/feed/0Concord-Carlisle High School Switches To Later Start Timehttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/09/07/concord-carlisle-high-school-later-start-time/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/09/07/concord-carlisle-high-school-later-start-time/#commentsThu, 07 Sep 2017 10:13:49 +0000Back To School – CBS Bostonhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=855601Pediatricians say that teens do better when school starts later.]]>

CONCORD (CBS) — Pediatricians and sleep doctors say that teens do better when school starts later and many districts are taking the recommendation to heart, including Concord-Carlisle High School.

The district moved the start time from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m.

The change was a relief for students like senior Bella McKinney, who says that, under the old schedule, she did not want to get up out of bed in the morning.

“Last year I think is when my schedule started to get really crazy,” she said.

Like many students at Concord-Carlisle, she was getting up at 6 a.m., some days even earlier, just to be on top of the day.

“I would wake up at 5 a.m.,” said junior Chris Jones.

Concord-Carlisle school buses. (WBZ-TV)

Senior Teddy Storrs says he was waking up at 6 a.m., when it is pitch black in the winter.

It is a schedule pediatricians and educators say just isn’t healthy.

“Many, many districts are talking about the level of student stress,” said Concord-Carlisle Schools Superintendent Dr. Laurie Hunter.

Johanna Boynton, a member of the Concord-Carlisle Regional School Committee, says that just a few days into the new schedule, there is a visible difference.

“The levity amongst the students and the whole environment is obvious, right out of the gates,” said Boynton.

The schedule change is more in line with the recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which Boston Children’s Hospital’s Dr. Judith Owens helped write.

“I see teenagers come into my clinic all the time who are utterly exhausted,” Owens said. “They are depressed, they are anxious, their school performance has gone down.”

This spring, Dr. Owens and others took their concerns to Beacon Hill, petitioning lawmakers to consider legislation to move Massachusetts high schools and middle schools to an 8:30 a.m. start.

Concord Carlisle High School. (WBZ-TV)

Students and administrators say the shift has been a game changer.

“Yeah, so far the few days that we have, it’s been really nice to be able to wake up that much later,” said Storrs.

But it isn’t just pupils who are loving the change.

“It’s made a difference in what time they get up in the morning, and that cumulatively will make a big difference,” said Concord-Carlisle High School Principal Michael Mastrullo.

There is a ripple effect when school schedules are changed, specifically on middle and elementary schools.

Concord-Carlisle was able to minimize the impact because they purchased more buses for their own school bus fleet.

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/09/07/concord-carlisle-high-school-later-start-time/feed/1Brockton High School Replaces Old Water Fountains With New Filtered Stationshttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/09/06/brockton-schools-water-fountains-copper-lead/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/09/06/brockton-schools-water-fountains-copper-lead/#respondWed, 06 Sep 2017 10:25:47 +0000Back To School – CBS Bostonhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=855390Brockton Schools converted their old drinking fountains to a total of 80 filtered water “hydration stations.”]]>

BROCKTON (CBS) — The halls of Brockton High School have been overhauled this summer because of what was found inside the walls.

Deputy Superintendent for Operations Mike Thomas says it was “incumbent upon us to make sure the environment the kids come to school in is safe, clean and healthy.”

The healthy environment was compromised by a problem plaguing schools not only in the district, but across Massachusetts: high copper and lead levels in the drinking water.

A new drinking fountain at Brockton High School.(WBZ-TV)

Thomas says the average age of buildings in Brockton is between 40 and 50 years old.

“It was important for us to test all of our water sources,” said Thomas.

More than 1,000 schools statewide signed up for a volunteer testing program overseen by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

The tests revealed that more than half of the schools tested contained copper and or lead rates above the established “action level.”

One of the new filtered hydration stations at Brockton High. (WBZ-TV)

Brockton Schools says it shut off every water source that tested with an elevated level immediately.

According to Thomas, the source of the problem was the faucets, which the district was already in the process of replacing.

Once the test results came back however, the district moved quickly to convert the old fountains to a total of 80 filtered water “hydration stations.”

There is one on every floor in every school in the district – at a cost of roughly $50,000.

Students can keep track of how much plastic bottle waste they’re saving. (WBZ-TV)

“They are kind of neat,” said Brockton High School Principal Clifford Murray. “The students can fill up their bottles, it actually tracks electronically, digitally how much plastic is saved, by the refill of the bottle.”

“It is kind of an incentive for the kids,” he said.

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/09/06/brockton-schools-water-fountains-copper-lead/feed/0Pitts Stop: Lawmaker Pushes For School Bus Cameras In Massachusettshttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/09/05/school-bus-video-cameras-massachusetts/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/09/05/school-bus-video-cameras-massachusetts/#respondTue, 05 Sep 2017 09:54:57 +0000Back To School – CBS Bostonhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=854533A state representative wants local school buses to have stop arm surveillance cameras.]]>

BOSTON (CBS) – Getting children to and from school is Stephen Ingle’s livelihood. His family’s business has been busing kids along the South Shore since 1954, but he says it’s becoming a more dangerous job.

“The drivers come in after their runs every day and tell me that they had a car pass them when they were dropping off or picking up a student with their lights flashing. They hate when it happens,” Ingle told WBZ-TV.

(WBZ-TV)

A 2011 pilot program equipped local school buses with stop arm surveillance cameras. In Medford, cameras captured violations every day for three months.

“You would think standing back that people would look at that and think, ‘My God we’re jeopardizing our children,’ ” says State Representative Paul Donato.

Donato has written legislation favoring the cameras for years with no success. He says a new bill addresses past issues like giving the driver of the car caught on camera a chance to prove whether they were behind the wheel or not. They’ve also made it optional for cities and town to participate.

(WBZ-TV)

“We’ve made it so that it’s a local option. This way communities that feel like this is a major problem for them, could opt in and then train a police officer to review the video and look at whatever infractions there are,” Donato told WBZ.

In the past, bus drivers would scribble down a license plate if they could even manage to get the whole thing. That information would then go to the RMV, who would reprimand drivers with warning letters or fines.

But MassDOT and the RMV told WBZ in a statement, “Due to current staffing and a heavy workload, the policy has been discontinued,” meaning no one is being cited unless a police officer directly witnesses the violation.

It’s something that puts local mom Amanda Brangifort in favor of the bill.

“It would be safer to have a camera, that way kids are being watched at all times and we can go back to it, it would just make sense,” she said.

(WBZ-TV)

Currently only 15 states in the country have school bus stop arm camera laws. The new bill will be up or debate during the September legislative session.

“I hope it doesn’t take a child getting hit by a car for it to pass. That would be too little too late,” says Ingle.

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/09/05/school-bus-video-cameras-massachusetts/feed/0Easy One-Pot Dinners For Back To School Timehttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/08/05/easy-one-pot-dinners-for-back-to-school-time/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/08/05/easy-one-pot-dinners-for-back-to-school-time/#respondSat, 05 Aug 2017 16:25:16 +0000Back To School – CBS Bostonhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=852517Rock your kid's first week back to school with an amazing meal that will have them asking for more, please. These five delicious recipes with simple instructions will take the chore out of family dinner, leaving you free to spend more time kicking back with the family after a long week.]]>Weeknights can get pretty hectic when September starts to roll around. Make dinner an occasion the whole family wants to attend with these five delicious recipes. These one-pot meals limit the clean up by only using the essentials. Simple ingredients and easy to follow directions take the chore out of family dinner, leaving you free to reap the benefits of a full and hearty meal. Not to mention, the rave reviews you’ll get from your toughest critics…the kids!

Penne Alla Vodka With Shrimp

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 40 min
Total Time: 50 min
Serves: 4

Start your week off right this Monday night with this easy to make penne all vodka! Add shrimp to this dish to get an extra boost of protein and power to fuel you up after a long day of work. Ready in a timely manner, fresh ingredients are the real stars of this meal! Fresh herbs provide a refreshing surprise on even the pickiest of palates! If shrimp isn’t a favorite of your household, omit and add a few strips of grilled chicken breast. Of course, no Italian meal is complete without a sprinkle of parmesan, a side salad, and a few slices of rustic bread.

Ingredients

salt

1 pound of penne pasta

1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp

2 tablespoons of olive oil

2 tablespoons of butter

4 cloves of garlic, minced

2 shallots, minced

1/2 cup of vodka

2 14.5 ounce cans of tomato sauce

1 cup of heavy cream

1/4 cup of chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

6 fresh basil leaves, cut chiffonade

milk, for thinning

freshly ground black pepper

parmesan cheese for garnish

Directions

Bring a pot of water to boil. Add a little salt along with the penne and cook according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

In that same pot, on medium-high heat add one tablespoon of butter and one tablespoon of olive oil. When the butter has melted, add the shrimp, with or without the tail on, and cook for about two minutes on each side or until the shrimp are opaque. Once cooked, remove the shrimp to a plate and set aside.

In that same pot, over medium heat, add the remaining tablespoon of butter and olive oil. Next, add the onion and garlic to the pot, stirring occasionally until the onion is translucent, about three minutes.

Pour in the tomato sauce and vodka. Stir to combine, reduce the heat to low, pour in the cream and allow the sauce to simmer.

Add the cooked pasta and shrimp back into the mixture and stir to combine. Add a splash of milk to thin out the mixture and reach your desired consistency. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve and garnish with grated parmesan cheese.

Keep the spirit of taco Tuesday alive with these easy DIY skillet fajitas. Chicken keeps this dish healthy with lean protein and fresh veggies. Heat your tortillas with a little canola oil on low heat in a skillet to warm and wrap in foil until ready to serve. You can customize this meal with any toppings of your choosing making it kid-friendly and spouse approved.

Ingredients

4-5 thinly sliced chicken breasts

salt

2 tbsp canola oil

1 large onion, thinly sliced

3 bell peppers, thinly sliced

12+ flour tortillas

cilantro (for garnish)

salsa

sour Cream

sliced avocado (optional)

thinly sliced lettuce (optional)

marinade

2 tbsp lime juice

3 tbsp olive oil

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 jalapeno, seeded and minced

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Directions

Combine the lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, cumin, chili powder, jalapeno and cilantro in a bowl. Place the chicken in the bowl, mix, and marinate in the fridge for one to eight hours.

Place the chicken in the bowl, mix, cover and let marinate for one to eight hours in the fridge.

Once the chicken has marinated, remove from the mixture and apply a pinch of salt.

On high heat in a large cast iron pan, add two tablespoons of canola oil. As soon as the oil begins to shimmer, add in the chicken breasts, and allow to cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until the chicken is seared to a golden brown. Repeat this step and sear the other side of the chicken for another 2-3 minutes. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pan, place chicken beneath an aluminum tent and allow to rest for five minutes. In the meantime, cook any remaining chicken.

While the chicken is resting, saute the peppers and onions. Add one tablespoon of canola oil to the same frying pan on high heat. Once the oil begins to shimmer, add in the onions and peppers. Allow the vegetables to cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally with a spatula. Be sure to scrape off the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.

Slice the chicken on a slight angle into thin strips. Serve the chicken, peppers and onions together on a warm tortilla with the cilantro, salsa, sour cream, avocado, lettuce, cheese and any other toppings of your choosing.

Chili Burgers

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 20 min
Total Time: 30 min
Serves: 6

This modern take on a former sloppy joe gets and update with bigger and bolder flavors! The addition of jalapeno and classic chili spices make this recipe the ultimate “Manwich.” Serve with a bag of chips and you have yourself the perfect combination of lunch and dinner as well as the perfect bite for Wednesday night.

Ingredients

2 tbsp of olive oil

2 1/2 pounds of ground beef

1/2 whole large onion, diced

1 large green bell pepper

1 medium-sized jalapeno, seeded and diced

6 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup of water

1 1/2 cup of ketchup

2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

a pinch of cayenne pepper

salt and pepper, to taste

kaiser rolls

butter

Directions

Toast the rolls with a little butter in a large cast iron skillet until golden brown on medium-high heat. After a minute or two, remove from the pan and set aside.

In the same skillet, add two tablespoons of olive oil and ground beef. Cook over medium-high heat until meat is browned. Then, drain and discard the fat.

Next, add the onions, green bell pepper, jalapeno, and garlic. Cook for a few minutes until the vegetable begins to feel soft.

Then, add the water, ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, chili pepper, red chili flakes, a pinch of cayenne, salt and pepper to the skillet. Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning as desired. Stir to combine and allow to simmer for 25 minutes until flavors are combined.

Once finished, spoon the mixture onto the buttered rolls and serve!

Shrimp Fried Rice

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 20 min
Total Time: 30 min
Serves: 6

On Thursday night you may be tempted to cheat, however, this easy treat will have your delivery man beat. In just 30 minutes, you’ll be cooking up a take out favorite without the extra fees. This simple shrimp fried rice is easy to find pre-made in your grocery store. With just a few added ingredients, this meal will go quickly go from frozen dinner to homemade winner!

Ingredients

4 eggs

pinch of salt

3 tablespoons of sesame oil

1 pound of peeled and deveined Shrimp

5 cloves of garlic, minced

1/4 cup of soy sauce

6 cups of pre-cooked rice, Purchase frozen or cook rice in advance

1 cup of peas and carrots, diced or thawed if frozen

1 cup of shelled edamame, thawed if frozen

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 white onion, diced

Directions

In a bowl, combine the three eggs and a pinch of salt. Whisk until the ingredients are combined.

Pour the mixture into a non-stick skillet, and cook for 3-6 minutes on a low temperature.

In that same skillet, turn up the heat to medium-high and add the sesame oil, garlic, soy sauce and shrimp. Let the shrimp continue to cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until the shrimp are opaque. Then, remove the shrimp to a plate and set aside. In the same skillet on medium-high heat, add another tablespoon of sesame oil as well as the pre-cooked rice, peas, carrots, edamame, pepper and onion. Let the rice cook for 8-10 minutes until the vegetables are soft. Add back in the shrimp and eggs to the rice, toss to combine and allow to cook for an extra minute. Serve warm.

Beef Stew

It’s time to celebrate Friday, with a meal that will have your family shouting, “FRIYAY.” A rich stew paired with root vegetables and tender beef make for a filling and hearty meal as you prepare for a fun-filled weekend. Even the neighbor’s kids will want to stay for dinner.

Pat beef dry with a paper towel and season generously with salt and pepper.

In a large dutch oven on medium-high heat, heat one tablespoon of olive oil. Once the oil begins to shimmer, add the meat and brown for about 5-8 minutes in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Add oil as necessary. Once browned, transfer the meat over onto a separate plate and set aside.

Next, add the onions, garlic and balsamic vinegar to the pan. Cook the onions for about five minutes, stirring occasionally, and scraping the brown bits off the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Finish cooking off the onion by adding the tomato paste and continue to cook for another minute or two.

Then, add the beef, with juices, back into the pot and sprinkle with flour. Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until the flour has dissolved, about one to two minutes.

Once dissolved, add the wine, beef broth, water, bay leaf, thyme and sugar to the pot. Combine the mixture together with a wooden spoon, loosening up the brown bits on the bottom to add flavor. Bring to a boil, cover the pot, and transfer the pot to a preheated oven, allowing the meat to slowly cook for two hours on the middle rack.

After two hours, remove the pot from the oven, add the carrots and potatoes. Cover and place the pot back int he oven to continue cooking for an additional 50-60 minutes or until meat is tender. Taste and adjust the seasonings to your preference.

Taste and adjust the seasonings to your preference.

Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.

Merissa Principe is a teacher and a freelance travel blogger from NYC. Teaching early childhood education has provided Merissa an opportunity to travel all over the world and live in new places. Be sure to follow her at Citygirlriss.wordpress.com for all things travel, beauty, fashion and New York City.

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/08/05/easy-one-pot-dinners-for-back-to-school-time/feed/0Students Head Back To School In Bostonhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2016/09/08/back-to-school-boston-students-first-day-tommy-chang/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2016/09/08/back-to-school-boston-students-first-day-tommy-chang/#respondThu, 08 Sep 2016 16:54:07 +0000Back To School – CBS Bostonhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=763298With summer vacation over, schools in Boston welcomed back students in grades 1-12 Thursday morning.]]>

BOSTON (CBS) — It was back to school time in Boston Thursday, and as the city’s 57,000 students returned to the classroom, officials were still dealing with issues left over from the last school year.

But for students lamenting the end of summer vacation, a bigger concern was getting back into the routine of waking up early.

“I felt the alarm clock and I wanted to go back to sleep,” one student told WBZ-TV’s Nicole Jacobs.

At least Boston Public Schools Superintendent Tommy Chang was excited for the first day of school.

I am so excited about the first day of school. Woo hoo! We welcome the incredible young people back to @BostonSchools.

“We are flushing every active water fountain for a minimum of 30 seconds every morning, that’s the best way to get lead out of water,” Chang said.

There are 108 schools in the district, but Chang said all but 24 of them are getting water from bottles, not active water fountains. That bottled water has cost the district about $400,000.

Water fountain covered at Curley School in Jamaica Plain. (WBZ-TV)

The school budget is always a source of concern, but with state funding, 20 schools have been upgraded, and other initiatives for improvement are in place.

Another issue is transportation – getting kids to and from school and figuring out just how many need rides. Chang told WBZ NewsRadio 1030’s Ben Parker that Boston’s using a TAP card program this year.

“Our hope is to be able to get a sense of how many kids are actually riding buses every single day,” said Chang. “We want to make sure we’re as efficient as possible with our transportation.”

He said transportation costs the school department about $110 million each year, and that if some money could be saved, he hoped it could go into classrooms.

And then there’s the issue of the buildings themselves.

“There is a chance that we will need to close some of our buildings down, because our buildings are old and we need to build new schools.”

Chang said the city has been gathering information about the buildings and will make that info publicly available likely by November.

Despite the issues facing the district, school officials are setting their sights and goals high.

“We’re going to be a model for this country,” said Chang.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030’s Ben Parker reports

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2016/09/08/back-to-school-boston-students-first-day-tommy-chang/feed/0Experts Help Students And Parents Cope With Back To School Anxietyhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/08/27/experts-help-students-and-parents-cope-with-back-to-school-anxiety/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/08/27/experts-help-students-and-parents-cope-with-back-to-school-anxiety/#commentsFri, 28 Aug 2015 02:20:22 +0000Back To School – CBS Bostonhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=663199A program at MGH teaches teens and their parents how to relax by breaking the regular stressful train of thought.]]>BOSTON (CBS) – Stress often accompanies a new school year. On Monday, Janelle Alicea will begin her senior year at Fitchburg High.

“There’s been a lot of bullying. There’s been a lot of all that type of stuff, so it’s really hard. I just really want to make sure that I stay focused, just so I can get into a good college, make sure everything works out exactly how I want it to,” said Alicea.

Marilyn Wilcher is a senior director at the Benson-Henry Institute at Mass General Hospital. They focus on mind-body medicine.

Wilcher said she was horrified when she read recent numbers about who is stressed-out. “Teens are the most stressed demographic in the country. I mean that is really shocking and upsetting,” said Wilcher.

She helps teach teens and their parents how to relax by breaking the regular stressful train of thought.

“A breath focus, a mediation, a word focus, for a lot people it’s yoga. It can be repetitive exercise. It can be running,” said Wilcher.

In the lab, she’s found those relaxation techniques lower blood pressure and heart rate.

She shared an example of repeating a line while focusing on breathing. “I am at peace. So when you’re repeating that, you can’t be worrying,” said Wilcher.

Alicea and her mom, Kathleen Salo, traveled to the Benson-Henry in Boston for two months.

“I think it’s changed the way I think,” said Alicea.

The pair now meditate. Alicea found drawing helps her de-stress.

“It just completely takes my mind off of just everything that’s stressing me out,” said Alicea.

Salo said it’s made a difference and she can tell by her daughter’s smile.

Marilyn Wilcher, Senior Director of BHI’s Resilient Youth Program, wrote a book on this topic called “Grab a Tiger by the Toe.”

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/08/27/experts-help-students-and-parents-cope-with-back-to-school-anxiety/feed/1Quincy Food Pantry Collecting Backpacks For Families In Needhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/07/31/quincy-food-pantry-collecting-backpacks-for-families-in-need/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/07/31/quincy-food-pantry-collecting-backpacks-for-families-in-need/#commentsThu, 31 Jul 2014 12:00:38 +0000Back To School – CBS Bostonhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=556606For families struggling to meet basic needs, the ritual of back to school shopping can be a real problem. ]]>QUINCY (CBS) – It may be summer but walk into any store and you can see the school supplies lining the shelves.

For families struggling to meet basic needs, the ritual of back to school shopping can be a real problem. Interfaith Social Services in Quincy has been collecting donations of kids’ backpacks filled with supplies.

Interfaith Executive Director Rick Doane says they feed hundreds of kids each month but the needs go beyond hunger. “We wanted to get them excited for the school year,” Doane told WBZ. “As these kids are coming in to get food with their families throughout the month of August we’re giving each one of them a backpack.”

Doane hopes to donate 500 backpacks by the end of August. “We ran out last year,” he says. “We didn’t have enough backpacks for all the kids and we hope that’s not the case this year.”

WBZ NewsRadio 1030’s Karen Twomey reports

Quincy Food Pantry Collecting Backpacks For Families In Need

]]>
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/07/31/quincy-food-pantry-collecting-backpacks-for-families-in-need/feed/1Save On Energy This Septemberhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/09/02/save-on-energy-this-september/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/09/02/save-on-energy-this-september/#respondMon, 02 Sep 2013 16:25:56 +0000Back To School – CBS Bostonhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=448127Check out the U.S. Department of Energy’s website on where to begin saving this year.]]>BOSTON (CBS) – Today is the unofficial last day of summer! The school year is about to start.

It feels more like the beginning of a new year than January first does.

In preparation for the new year folks have been shopping for supplies and clothes for school for weeks. Even adults have begun to buy their fall wardrobes. We begin a new year mentally as we change seasons.

Kids go from the carefree summer fun to settling down in school. I think that carries over to adulthood. Then we have kids of our own and the tradition continues.

I began my fall chore list for garden and house projects this long weekend and then I thought about the personal things I have put off over the summer. Maybe I needed to return to Weight Watchers for a fall tune up.

I was creating New Year’s resolutions. First on my list was painting and putting away of the porch furniture. Then I went looking for the Weight Watchers meeting schedule.

Our house has been chilly in the morning and I went looking for something warm to wear to church yesterday.

So added to the list was continuing to work on energy efficiency. Check out the U.S. Department of Energy’s website on where to begin.

We have replaced all of our light bulbs with LEDs when we found them on sale.

So what can you do to use less energy? I don’t want you to be cold this winter but I don’t want you to be broke either.

Get an automatic thermostat. Not expensive. Check your attic. Simply laying insulation up there can reduce your heat loss. Are your windows tight? Can you caulk them yourself? Do you need storm windows or new windows?

Check the doors next. Do you need a storm door or weather stripping? Most of our energy loss is through our attics, windows and doors.

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/09/02/save-on-energy-this-september/feed/0Back To School Lunch Ideas With A Personal Trainerhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/09/01/back-to-school-lunch-ideas-with-a-personal-trainer/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/09/01/back-to-school-lunch-ideas-with-a-personal-trainer/#commentsSun, 01 Sep 2013 13:59:29 +0000Back To School – CBS Bostonhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=448181Personal trainer and mom Sandy Morvillo has some tips for back to school lunch and snack ideas.]]>BOSTON (CBS) — Personal trainer and mom Sandy Morvillo has some tips for back to school lunch and snack ideas.

Morvillo says the key is to gets your kids involved in making their own lunches.

“They are more likely to eat it if they are involved,” she says.

Morvillo says it’s also important to teach your kids how to read labels. Try to pick items that are not processed.

Breakfast for lunch is a hit in Morvillo’s family. Think about turkey sausage, crepes or pancakes.

“Leftovers are great,” Morvillo said. “If you have leftover roasted chicken, make soup.”

Morvillo said a thermos of oatmeal is also a good choice.

The most important thing Morvillo says, is to not talk about calories and diet but instead make it fun and set good habits from an early age.

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/09/01/back-to-school-lunch-ideas-with-a-personal-trainer/feed/1Pick-A-Side: Which Is Your Favorite Children’s Book?http://boston.cbslocal.com/pick-a-side/view/which-your-favorite-childrens-book/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/pick-a-side/view/which-your-favorite-childrens-book/#respondMon, 22 Jul 2013 10:00:21 +0000Back To School – CBS Bostonhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=434589]]>]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/pick-a-side/view/which-your-favorite-childrens-book/feed/0Can Your Social Media Image Affect Your Chances of Getting Into College?http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/07/22/can-your-social-media-image-affect-your-chances-of-getting-into-college/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/07/22/can-your-social-media-image-affect-your-chances-of-getting-into-college/#respondMon, 22 Jul 2013 10:00:00 +0000Back To School – CBS Bostonhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=434192How many admissions officers are using the internet to screen applicants? What kind of online behavior affects a student's admission to the college of their choice?]]>How many admissions officers are using the internet to screen applicants? What kind of online behavior affects a student’s admission to the college of their choice, and how can students prepare their online footprint for inspection? According to Kaplan Test Prep, who tracks such things, schools are “increasingly discovering information on Facebook and Google that negatively impact applicants’ acceptance chances.” In a 2012 survey, 27 percent of admissions officers said they use Google to screen applications, and 26 percent reported looking at Facebook pages. Google taps into not only Facebook, but a student’s activity on Twitter, Google Plus and personal online blogs. Use of online media among recruiters is even higher than admissions counselors, with 87 percent of colleges citing Facebook as one of their resources, 76 percent using Twitter, and 73 percent viewing a students’ YouTube clips.

Privacy issuesDoes looking at students’ online materials constitute an invasion of privacy? It’s easy to make a case that any material you have shared with the world via online publishing can no longer be called “private.” However, 69 percent of schools that have crafted a policy on the matter are declaring social media off-limits. That said, with only 15 percent of schools having any policy whatsoever, that gives the vast majority of college recruiters complete freedom to surf your internet trail.

Online behavior that can affect your chances of admissionWhat kind of online behavior affects your chances of admission to the college of your choice? Photos with alcoholic beverages, hate speech, descriptions or videos of violent or unruly behavior, public nudity, mentions of illegal drugs, or a pattern of posts that suggest a student might not mesh well with a diverse community are going to cause a recruiter to think twice, according to the Kaplan survey. On the other hand, posts that reflect a diverse range of interest, passion about social and political issues, and showcase the student as a respectful, thoughtful person can boost his chances of admission.Managing your online reputationThere are ways to manage your online footprint. Before submitting college applications (or internship applications), run your name and hometown through a few popular search engines and scan the first couple of results pages. Do your best to clean up anything negative that comes up.

Use the privacy settings on your social media platforms to control which posts and photos are public. You can remove yourself from searches altogether, or leave your profile searchable but make your content visible only to friends. View your profile as a member of the public to see how you will appear to outsiders. Note: You can hide other photos, but if your profile is searchable, your profile picture and cover photos need to be clean.

Set your profile so others can’t tag you in photos without your permission, and don’t allow yourself to be tagged in public photos that show you as anything but a fine, upstanding young citizen.

Blog posts and public forums are often searchable. If anything unflattering comes up, delete or edit those posts. Although it’s possible to locate deleted material online, college admissions counselors are rarely doing more than a quick skim of your activity.

Managing a public image is an important lesson for incoming college students who will soon become young professionals. While only about a fourth of college admissions officers are using Google and social media to screen applicants, it is a common practice among employers.

Lauren Haas is a writer who specializes in finding the fun! Lauren was the publisher of the St. Louis Area Family Gazette for eight years, and now writes freelance articles on St. Louis events and attractions, budget travel, arts and entertainment and fitness topics. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/07/22/can-your-social-media-image-affect-your-chances-of-getting-into-college/feed/0Ask a Chef: Best Back To School Lunch Recipeshttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/07/15/ask-a-chef-best-back-to-school-lunch-recipes/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/07/15/ask-a-chef-best-back-to-school-lunch-recipes/#commentsMon, 15 Jul 2013 14:00:00 +0000Back To School – CBS Bostonhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=432322Even highly trained chefs deal with kid critics when it comes to lunch box offerings. The Executive Chef of Shaw’s Crab House in Chicago says use fresh ingredients and a little risk and you get fewer orders of pb&j this school year.]]>How is it that children in other countries are consuming spicy pickled cabbage, curry and dried fish and your kiddos want the fifteenth peanut butter and jelly sandwich of the month for lunch? You can tell them that kids in Finland open their Hello Kitty and Batman lunch boxes and find carrot and beet salads and that those kids not only do not complain, but they also love carrot and beet salads.

It could be that the other options you’ve offered are just not appealing to the little miscreants: rubbery, salty lunch meat, bland cheese and soggy-by-lunchtime bread might not be applauded in a penitentiary let alone the school cafeteria. Relax – it’s not you, it’s them, and even chefs have to wrangle with the issue of picky eaters.

Arnulfo “Arnie” Tellez, Executive Chef of Shaw’s Crab House in Chicago has chopped alongside such masters as Yves Roubaud, Geoff Felsenthal, and Jean-Georges Vongerichten, all of whom helped him to develop as a chef and an artist. Despite his storied resume of working his way up the kitchen ladder from dishwasher to executive chef for Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Chef Tellez still has to deal with his own culinary critics––9-year-old Brandon and 12-year-old Emily. He prepares lunch items for his kids with the same gusto as his Shaw’s dinners; he says using the freshest ingredients, a hint of risk and passion are the perfect combination for any recipe.

Here are three very simple, yet kid-satisfying lunchbox recipes that Chef Tellez prepares for his own children. Notice that there’s a hint of sweetness in each one (which kids crave), provided not by high fructose corn syrup or refined sugar, but rather sugar snap peas, sweet corn, honey smoked turkey and barbecue sauce. Oh yes, and a smear of that kid-pleasing peanut butter.

Chicken Salad

Roasted Chicken

Diced Carrots

Sweet Corn

Soy Beans

Sugar Snap Peas

Mayonnaise

Salt

Cayenne Pepper

Lemon Juice

For Dessert: Cuties Clementine

Use up that leftover chicken by shredding it and tossing with the vegetables (cut off the kernels of yesterday’s grilled corn, too). Snip off the ends of the sugar snap peas and cut them in a uniform size with the carrot, soy beans and corn. Add a nice dollop of mayo, a shake of salt, a smidge of cayenne and a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten up the whole thing.

Turkey Wrap

Flour Tortilla

Fresh Spinach

Mayonnaise

Mustard

Honey Smoked Turkey

For Dessert: Fresh Grapes

Smear a tortilla with mayo and mustard, add the spinach and turkey, roll burrito style and your kids are getting iron, protein, vitamins, antioxidents and a full belly. Honey ham would work here, too.

Chicken Breast

Sautéed Chicken Breast with Fresh Garlic

Broccoli

BBQ Sauce

For Dessert: Apples with Tajin, Peanut Butter or Nutella(Tajin is a seasoning used in Mexico and Latin America that’s a simple mix of chili peppers, sea salt and lime. It’s traditionally sprinkled on fruit and is available in ethnic grocery stores).

The night before, it’s a snap to saute a chicken breast until cooked through, add some small broccoli florets and cook until bright green (not soggy) about two or three minutes. Add garlic last and saute for just a minute (don’t overcook it or it will turn bitter). Cut the chicken into bite size pieces, toss in a sweet barbecue sauce and refrigerate overnight. By lunch, manana, your kidlet has a little gourmet, healthy meal.

If all else fails, remember the ranch dressing. The little dips will eat almost anything that can be plunged into the stuff!

Jacky Runice has been a columnist with the Daily Herald Chicago since grunge music and flannel was the new black. Her fingers and gray matter have been busy as travel editor of Reunions Magazine; penning a column that was syndicated around the nation via Tribune Media Services. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/07/15/ask-a-chef-best-back-to-school-lunch-recipes/feed/3Talking To Your Kids About Bullyinghttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/08/01/talking-to-your-kids-about-bullying/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/08/01/talking-to-your-kids-about-bullying/#respondWed, 01 Aug 2012 10:00:46 +0000Back To School – CBS Bostonhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=302101Being the victim of a relentless bully can be a distraction and even a danger to kids. As a parent, it is important to recognize the signs of bullying, know how to talk to your children about bullies and establish an appropriate reaction to a bully situation.]]>

Photo Credit: Thinkstock.com

Kids face all types academic and social challenges in school. Being the victim of a relentless bully can be a distraction and even a danger to kids. As a parent, it is important to recognize the signs of bullying, know how to talk to your children about bullies and establish an appropriate reaction to a bully situation.

Jodie Miller, a sixth grade teacher, often coaches her students through bullying problems. Open to all reports of bullying and taking each child seriously, she has a continual conversation with her students about what bullying is. Ms. Miller asks students reflective questions such as, “Are they bugging you or bullying you?” She considers whether “a child’s emotional and/or physical well being is in jeopardy.” Another regard; “Is the incident happening over a period of time or is one kid having a bad day?” She also stresses, “The need to talk to your intermediate/pre-teen child consistently is imperative.”
Bullying identifiers and warning signs.

In between bugging and bullying lies teasing. This is one of the most difficult areas for teachers and parents to identify. Children tease, joke around and try to make one another laugh, especially boys. It is a way in which they connect. However, if your child is consistently feeling “picked on” at school, in your neighborhood or even at home, an adult needs to intervene.

Sometimes children do not report bullying, making it even more difficult to identify instances. However, there are warning signs and children sometimes change their normal behavior when being affected by a bully. According to stopbullying.gov, some warning signs include frequent stomach aches, faking illness, change in eating habits, difficulty sleeping, declining grades, loss of interest in schoolwork and friends and self-destructive behavior.

Talking with your kids regularly will help you identify signs of bullying.

Photo Credit: Thinkstock.com

Keeping an open flow of communication with your child, even in periods when bullying is not suspected, is very important. Constantly ask about your children’s day and encourage more descriptive answers than “it was OK.” Having a continual conversation with your children will make you more intuitive and help you identify when something is awry in your children’s daily life.

Adults need to take bullying seriously, which proves difficult because they often feel unprepared themselves as to what advice to give. Parents: you need to keep the conversation and your minds constantly open so your children can seek your help when needed. When your children confide in you about being picked on, teased or bullied, they need help. This is not the time to worry if they have problems tolerating “normal” amounts of teasing. Nor is it the time to say they “need to get along” or “fight back.” Self esteem will be affected if the bullying continues over a long period, which can easily alter children’s behavior.
What are steps to take if your child is in a bullying situation?

If it is happening at school, your first contact should be your children’s teacher or counselors. If your children are willing, you should include them. Often times, children who are bullies are themselves bullied at home. Again, check with the school about the best way to approach this problem. Approaching the bully’s parents in the school parking lot may only escalate the problem.

Speak to your children about their bullying situation. Maybe there are small measures you both can take to curtail the bully. For example, if the bully is after toys or electronic devices that your children bring to school, don’t allow these items any longer. Another good idea is to encourage your children to hang around friends that can be trusted. Walking home is always safer in groups and bullies might be deterred when other children are present.

It is also important to tell your children to stay calm when facing a bully. Bullies thrive on the reaction they get from their victims and any erratic show of emotions may worsen the situation. Be sure they know that it is brave to just walk away.

Cyberbullying

Photo Credit: Thinkstock.com

Cyberbullying is a continuous problem for children because it doesn’t stop once they leave school. With text messages and social-networking sites, bullies can harass their victims throughout the day and night. It is important to recognize the signs of a cyberbully and be aware of measures you can take as a parent.

According to KidsHealth.org, your child might be if they act anxious or distraught after using the Internet, if they want to discontinue using the Internet or text messages or if they avoid conversations about their Internet and cell phone activities. Kids might be scared that you will take away their cell phone or Internet privileges if they report a cyberbully, so it is important to have an open line of communication and to keep an open mind yourself when dealing with this issue. You always want your children to have confidence that they can talk to you.

As with any bullying issue, consider going to your children’s teacher or school administrator with a complaint. Also, block the bully’s access to your children’s social media pages and cell phone and encourage your youngsters to avoid responding to the bully’s taunts.
What to do if your child is the bully.

For many parents, it is hard to accept that your children are teasing someone at school or in your neighborhood. The first thing you should do is question what is sparking this disruptive behavior in your children. This usually begins with an analysis of your home. Some children who are bullies are copying behavior exhibited in their home life. Do your children get bullied by older siblings, neighbors or even parents? Are your children insecure about something? Does it make your children feel stronger when they pick on someone who is perceived as weak or different? These are all questions that a parent of a bully should be asking.

Parents need to make clear that bullying is a serious problem and will not be tolerated. Punishments should be given and they should stick so your children know that this behavior is unacceptable. In addition to punishing bad behavior, good behavior should be praised. Teach your kids the benefits of being kind and helping others. They need to know the meaning of the old adage, “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.”

It is also important to be involved in your children’s social life. Be aware of the friends they have and of the pressures they might be facing at school. Sometimes, different social stresses can cause children to act out against their peers. Finally, you should seek help from your children’s counselor or teacher to help you gain a greater understanding of the situation and get advice to correct this bad behavior.

Rhonda Cratty has been a teacher, instructional coach and writer since 1983. Rhonda enjoys writing about ways parents can improve the quality of their children’s educational lives. She has been the National Parent & Education at Examiner.com since December 2008. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/08/01/talking-to-your-kids-about-bullying/feed/0Parent’s Prep: New Technology In Schools; What Parents Need To Knowhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/08/01/parents-prep-new-technology-in-schools-what-parents-need-to-know/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/08/01/parents-prep-new-technology-in-schools-what-parents-need-to-know/#respondWed, 01 Aug 2012 10:00:00 +0000Back To School – CBS Bostonhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=303438Children who come with the ability to interact with computer screens and basic keyboard knowledge find it much easier to learn in today’s classrooms.]]>Technology offers new and exciting ways for your children to learn and for you to increase your involvement in your children’s education. Children given technology opportunities at home watch less television, improve problem solving and critical thinking skills and excel in written communication skills, math skills and computer skills according to the Department of Education. Parents have found that new technology in schools increases communication with their children and their children’s teachers. Be sure that as a parent, you stay up to date on the evolution of technology in education so that your kids can reap the benefits.

The integration of technology and education has encouraged enthusiasm from students, elevated achievement levels, created richer classroom content and has improved retention rates for students according to the National School Boards Association. Students who use technology in school can enhance their communication and research skills as well as become more analytical in their thought process. If you give children the tools to research their interests, their education could be limitless. Not to mention that having even basic technological skills can exponentially increase their value in the job market.

School districts and administrators across the nation have been focused on advancing their services through technology.

Schools across the nation have implemented online, progress-monitoring solutions to track students’ scholastic progress and help identify areas of struggle for individual students. The Yearly ProgressPro™ program by McGraw Hill integrates each state’s standards into the tracking system so educators can compare each student’s progress with state accountability exam standards. This program also gives teachers the freedom to build their own assessment for each classroom of students.

Teachers have begun to use YouTube to record the steps in solving math problems, easily accessible to students and parents at home. Renee Shaver, a fifth grade teacher, introduces both her students and their parents to how she uses a document camera and smart board while teaching. She then posts the lessons on YouTube. Parents and students can access the day’s lessons for a review, homework help or in the event of an absence, watch a lesson from home. Ms. Shaver states, “Technology saves teachers time because children learn to help themselves at home.”

Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Blackboard and Schoology are tools that connect students, teachers and parents through a social-network platform. Kids can reach out to one another for homework advice or collaborate on special projects while communicating any potential road blocks with teachers. In addition to the networking function, educators can manage their classrooms online through LMS. They can set deadlines, give quizzes and even post homework assignments. Think of LMS as a Facebook for school but with the added security and services that school districts require.

Get your kids familiar with technology so it’s not as intimidating when they start school.

Giving children a head start in technology is just as important as starting them off reading and writing at an early age. The more comfortable children are with technology, the less of a shock it will be for them when they are introduced to it in an educational environment.

Technology in schools is a teaching and learning tool that is always evolving. With this brings a new type of parenting. Diana Bender, an Educational Technology Specialist who works with elementary-school children each day, states, “Parents need to be teaching their children responsible digital citizenship.”

Children need to come to school with a respect for the technological world. Just as parents have rules about crossing the street, they need rules about Internet use. First and foremost is the emphasis to maintain privacy. No matter where they are, children should never post personal information and never divulge passwords to anyone, including friends.

Even the most well-behaved children check their good judgment at the keyboard. Talk to them about their integrity and reputation by considering long-term consequences. Children are used to hitting delete and their words are gone. They need to understand their digital footprint; the idea that their words may not disappear permanently when delete is pushed, as some social networking sites archive information. Ask them how they would feel if a college admissions staff member or employer were sitting beside them as they typed? Check that their words in emails reflect the way they want to be understood.

The responsibility for teaching digital citizenship is not solely on parents. Schools actively engage in teaching digital citizenship as well as technology skills. However, parents are key players by maintaining a dialogue with their kids and creating guidelines for safe Web use.

Rhonda Cratty has been a teacher, instructional coach and writer since 1983. Rhonda enjoys writing about ways parents can improve the quality of their children’s educational lives. She has been the National Parent & Education at Examiner.com since December 2008. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/08/01/parents-prep-new-technology-in-schools-what-parents-need-to-know/feed/0Pick-A-Side: Which Is Your Favorite School Lunch?http://boston.cbslocal.com/pick-a-side/view/which-your-favorite-school-lunch/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/pick-a-side/view/which-your-favorite-school-lunch/#respondTue, 24 Jul 2012 07:00:37 +0000Back To School – CBS Bostonhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=298960]]>]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/pick-a-side/view/which-your-favorite-school-lunch/feed/0Pick-A-Side: Who Is Your Favorite School Teacher?http://boston.cbslocal.com/pick-a-side/view/who-your-favorite-school-teacher/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/pick-a-side/view/who-your-favorite-school-teacher/#respondFri, 20 Jul 2012 15:26:10 +0000Back To School – CBS Bostonhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=311708It's time to pick a side, who is your favorite TV or movie school teacher?]]>It's time to pick a side, who is your favorite TV or movie school teacher?]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/pick-a-side/view/who-your-favorite-school-teacher/feed/0Back to School: Then and Nowhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2011/07/15/back-to-school-then-and-now/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2011/07/15/back-to-school-then-and-now/#respondFri, 15 Jul 2011 16:59:46 +0000Back To School – CBS Bostonhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/?p=168067Going back to school is the same as it's always been. Only the details are different. Kids are still kids.]]>

(Photo Credit: Clipart.com)

Summer’s halfway over, and the days are growing shorter. That means back-to-school is right around the corner! Kids everywhere look forward with anticipation and excitement (and maybe a little dread) to the new school year. Going back to school in 2012 looks a lot different than it did in previous generations, seemingly more complicated. But in many ways, it’s pretty much the same.

These days, it’s all about the kind of shoes you’re wearing. Flip-flops are perfect for tooling around the neighborhood when the weather is warm. But as the seasons change, kids pull out the mid-calf suede Uggs and lace up the overly rubberized high-tops that the NBA stars were wearing just a few months before. Long gone are the jelly shoes from the ’80s, in rainbow colors from neon orange to clear with silver sparkles to purple. Does anyone still wear black patent leather Mary Janes of our parents’ and grandparents’ generations? In fact they do, in a more updated version. Kids today also sport the classic Converse Chucks, though the colors range far beyond the traditional blacks and whites.

(Photo Credit: Clipart.com)

Jeans are still popular, even if the styles have changed. And boy have they changed. Styles today run the gamut from ultra-distressed to stiff as a board. The fit might be super slim or super baggy, low-cut or hanging completely off someone’s rear end. One thing is for sure, only moms and dads still wear their jeans high on their waist and barely touching their shoes. Jeans have been popular kids’ clothing for generations. And if the return of bell-bottoms a few years ago is any indication, the styles that now seem lame will be back again someday. Fashionistas are already combing the thrift stores looking for those perfect pants. Can anyone say “acid wash”?

(Photo Credit: Clipart.com)

Backpacks come with wheels and handles now. They can protect a laptop computer and recharge a smartphone with the power of the sun. All of them have some sort of mesh pocket for a water bottle. Water bottle… whatever happened to the water fountain? Bookbags used to be red plaid with buckles back in the day. As textbooks got thicker, bags evolved into something more like what we see today. Kids of any generation are strong and full of energy, but there’s only so much they can carry.

With all the laptops, tablets and smartphones, students don’t have to carry all the books we had to. The information they need is right there on a little device. And if it’s not, it’s accessible in moments via the internet. Our bookbags were filled with Trapper Keepers, spiral notebooks, multiple textbooks and a pencil case. Now a student may have an agenda book for tracking assignments, a pocket folder to hold the homework printed out from the computer and maybe, just maybe, a calculator. That’s it. And if the school allows smartphones, the calculator stays at home. So much is available to today’s students. But as with previous generations, a student still has to learn his lessons.

(Photo Credit: Clipart.com)

Kids still have to eat too. Technology hasn’t found a way around that yet. Lunchtime in the cafeteria involves sitting at the right table, gossiping and swapping food with friends. The difference between now and then is what that food is and how it gets from home to school. Kids still want peanut butter and jelly on white bread, and parents still push the fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The tide is slowly turning from the prepackaged and store-bought to the organic and home-grown. Kids still eat what they want to eat, but parents are trying to provide healthier options.

We had to bring lunch in a metal box emblazoned with E.T., Gremlins or Back to the Future images. Lunchboxes still exist, of course. But reusable insulated bags are also very common. We never used to care about plastic sandwich bags and other forms of waste. But we now know they end up in landfills and harm the planet. So little by little, we’re trying to make the world a greener place.

(Photo Credit: Clipart.com)

Organizing and scheduling are a big part of going back to school. Most parents have to work, so today’s kids go to after-school programs until mom and dad get home from work. These programs have a schedule for homework, snacks and free play with lots of other kids. Dinner, piano or soccer practice follows in the early-evening hours and then it’s bath and off to bed. Older kids might skip the after-school care and fill their afternoons with after-school activities. Gone are the days of hanging out with friends and goofing off. Growing up is a lot more structured; free time is often at a premium.

So much has changed over the years, but it’s all been in the details. The basics of going back to school—of being a kid—have stayed the same. Each fall presents shiny new experiences, with all sorts of ups and downs. This generation of students looks different than we did. They wear different clothes, play with different toys, sing along to different songs on the radio. They have different ways of learning. But deep down, kids haven’t changed all that much. They’re nervous and excited for the new school year. They’re just like we used to be.

]]>http://boston.cbslocal.com/2011/07/15/back-to-school-then-and-now/feed/0Obama: Students should work hard, focus on schoolhttp://boston.cbslocal.com/2010/09/14/obama-students-should-work-hard-focus-on-school-live/
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2010/09/14/obama-students-should-work-hard-focus-on-school-live/#commentsTue, 14 Sep 2010 10:19:44 +0000Back To School – CBS Bostonhttp://wbz.cbslocal.com/?p=21462

President Barack Obama shakes hands with students after delivering remarks at his second annual back-to-school speech, Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010, at Julia R. Masterman School in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

President Barack Obama, in a message Tuesday to America’s students, urged them to ignore bullies and treat each other with kindness and respect, saying part of the beauty of life “lies in its diversity.”

Obama acknowledged that school is tough and that it can be made even tougher by the presence of classroom bullies who make fun of students and try to make those who are different from them feel bad.

He said students should ignore the bulliers and celebrate the differences among them.

“What I want all of you, if you do take away one thing from my speech, I want you to take away the notion that life is precious, and part of what makes it so wonderful is its diversity,” Obama said from a Philadelphia school during his second back-to-school address.

“We shouldn’t be embarrassed by the things that make us different. We should be proud of them,” he said. “Because it’s the things that make us different that make us who we are, that make us unique.”

After the White House announced last year’s speech, some parents threatened to pull their kids from class during Obama’s remarks. Conservatives also accused him of trying to inject politics into the classroom.

A similar outcry has been missing this year.

Schools were not required to show the speech, as was the case last year. Some schools also gave parents the option of having their kids participate in another activity during the broadcast. As with last year’s speech, the White House released the text a day early so people could read it and judge for themselves.

Speaking from the auditorium at the Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School for fifth- through 12th-graders, Obama urged students to stay in school, study hard and take responsibility for their education. He said the nation’s ability to compete globally in the 21st century depends on an educated work force.

He also said nothing is beyond their reach as long as they dream big, work hard and focus on learning.